Head of Programmes and Delivery (Aspire to HE)

Temporary post until 31st October 2025

This is an exciting opportunity to join The Aspire to HE Team, part of the UniConnect programme funded by the Office for Students. The Head of Partnerships and Delivery is a key role within our team and is a senior manager role within the project. Aspire to HE supports young people, traditionally underrepresented in Higher Education, in schools and colleges in the Black Country, Telford and Wrekin to make informed and ambitious decisions about their futures.

This is a Temporary role until 31st October 2025.

This role will have strategic oversight and management responsibility of the delivery of a range of targeted widening participation and outreach initiatives and programmes being delivered on campus and in schools and colleges.

You will take also be responsible for monitoring the budget for the Aspire to HE programme, including: the allocation of funding to partners; monitoring expenditure against targets and milestones; ensuring Partnership compliance with OfS guidance. You will support the effective evaluation of key activity strands in accordance with the overall Aspire to HE evaluation strategy and ensuring that all activity is appropriately targeted.

You will work closely with other teams across the department, directorate and wider university to ensure a cohesive and streamlined approach to access, outreach and widening participation.

We are seeking to employ an individual with significant knowledge of widening participation within HE and experience of overseeing school and college engagement. We also seek individuals with extensive project management experience and working with budgets.

You will have an understanding of the needs of “non-traditional learners” and experience of managing or supervising staff and associated budgets.

You will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build effective relationships, being an ambassador for Uniconnect partnerships and for the university.

For further information or an informal discussion please contact Gemma Kay, Director of Aspire to HE: gemma.kay@wlv.ac.uk

The University of Opportunity for Students and Staff

As part of our commitment to ensure the diversity of our staff body reflects those of the student and local communities we serve, we particularly welcome applications from candidates of Black, Asian, or Ethnic Minority heritage, and candidates who are Disabled (including people who may not define themselves as disabled, but nevertheless encounter challenges)

PLEASE NOTE: Applications are scored against the criteria set out in the job description and person specifications attached to this advert. Applications are not assessed against the job advert so please ensure your applications are crafted against the Job Description and Person Specification contained within it.